O’Keeffe knows the score

JOHN O’KEEFFE has a very clear idea of what he expects from his players if Ireland are to be successful in the International Rules Series against Australia later in this month.

Announcing his 27-strong squad at a press reception in Croke Park yesterday, he said that his side must ensure quick, accurate kicking to avoid losing possession in tackles.

Expressing regret at the loss of first-choice captain Seamus Moynihan through injury, O'Keeffe is adamant Graham Canty will be a capable replacement. However, he added that Armagh captain Kieran McGeeney, who had been expected to take over the role in Moynihan's absence, would still have an important role to play.

"Graham was with me for all of the training sessions last year and this year. I noticed his commitment and the sacrifices he made to travel as well as his commitment on the field which is even more important. He has developed into a fine player in this code and with his versatility he can play at full-back, centre-back or centre-field. I would describe him as a quiet type of lad, not that outspoken, but when he speaks, people listen. That is what I like about him. Graham has been so focused on this for many weeks, whereas Kieran will be trying to get his head around what's going to happen in the next few weeks

"I would look on him as the number two. Personality-wise, they are quite opposite, but Kieran will have his say and he will be very good with the players."

The squad, again sponsored by Coca-Cola, is notable for the inclusion of 15 players new to the series, among them Tyrone's man-of-the-match in the All-Ireland final, Kevin Hughes.

The All-Ireland finalists, between them provide six players and O'Keeffe commended them for their efforts.

"It's quite obvious that their performances show that they are quite capable of playing this code. I made a decision early on that it would be very unfair to ask anybody still left in the championship to come in for trials. There was no way I could send one of those players back to his county injured," he said.

"Starting out, I said, I'd have three great Kerry men in the team. I was looking at Seamus Moynihan straight away as my captain because I think so highly of him, Tadhg Kennelly, who would be better this year and has knowledge and ability of both codes and Darragh Ó Sé. But, I am quite satisfied that I have a team that will hopefully continue the great tradition of Colm O'Rourke's and Brian McEniff's teams who were so successful down in Australia.

"It's going to be a hard task, because I know that the Australians are taking it even more seriously than previous years. They feel it's time they won a home series and their manager, Gary Lyon, is getting more knowledgeable in this code. They will be very difficult to beat."

Stating that he had been anxious to 'freshen' the squad from last year, O'Keeffe expressed disappointment that a small number of players did not make themselves available.

"When you consider the opportunity to play for your country, I feel that possibly one phone call is enough. If you haven't got the enthusiasm for it, I'd prefer to go with people who are really enthusiastic. And, I found that, particularly with the newcomers."

He revealed that he will have discussions with Tadhg Kennelly at home in Kerry over the next fortnight, to find out as much as he can about the Australian squad. H e has also arranged for him to speak to the Irish players over the weekend, when they will have a trial game against a Dublin-based Australian rules team.

O'Keeffe acknowledges that the Australians seem to hold the upper hand in terms 'breaking ball'.

"They are diving in first and commanding that situation. Our way is to 'foot' the ball away. Because they are professionals, they look like they have more stamina, but I feel we have an advantage in speed and we have very quick players in certain areas.

"Apart from that we don't want to compete with them in the area of tackling, because their upper body strength is just better than ours. We have to devise ways of trying to limit that advantage. That's where our speed of foot and our speed of thought can come into play.

"Every player has to be adept at playing football with his head up, but that's the vision that these top players have. It enables you to release the ball before you get tackled. That's the whole idea of the game to avoid walking into tackles.

"We have been trying to kick the ball more. Surely we should have the advantage. Accuracy with the foot has to be paramount in our game. If you keep fisting the ball to players close to you, you are playing into their hands. What we will be hoping for is longer and accurate kicks so we can make marks.

"We set out our stall last year when we had players who would get six-pointers (goals) for us. But, it didn't work out. You might think because you have small, quick players that you'll breach the Australian defence. I set out this year to try and unearth a target man as such and I had three in mind, Dermot Earley, Colin Corkery and Darragh Ó Sé. Dermot has been out all year through injury and Darragh is still troubled by his ankle problem. Colin Corkery was the obvious one, he spent two years in Australia as a 19 year-old and has experience of their game."